Quick feedback on band promotion

If you wanted to promote a band in DC, how would you do it – everything from advertising, word of mouth, venues, etc.

I'm on a trip to Cali this afternoon, and a friend of a friend is asking how to help break a band in the DC scene (they're not local, but east coast).

flyers in all the trendy hipster hangouts…….play a record store like dccd…….

Move to New York

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Move to New York

No need to move there, just say you did. Chum up with the workers at some record stores, see if they will play their disk.

should ask a guy who dates a chick in Exit Clov, ask relaxer…..

Hate to say this but I don't think you'll have much luck getting local record stores to play the disc unless they are truly independent. It seems the employees are always bitching about what they are sort of forced to play and generally aren't allowed to play what they want to play. Sonic could fill you in more on that side.

Try to win over college radio stations. Also, when you go to smaller clubs, see if they will play their music or consider booking the band.

Oh also, any local publications that have music reviews. Try to find out how to submit write-ups or ads for the band.

or if any members of the band are really hot……..

then they are going to have to put out………..a lot

especially the record store clerks…….just ask sonic :p

Originally posted by markie:
should ask a guy who dates a chick in Exit Clov, ask relaxer…..

Yeah…coz Exit Clove hit the bigtime!

Originally posted by markie:
should ask a guy who dates a chick in Exit Clov, ask relaxer…..

First off it's not relaxer… :mad:

Originally posted by redsock:

Originally posted by markie:
should ask a guy who dates a chick in Exit Clov, ask relaxer…..

First off it's not relaxer… :mad:

As far as you know………

Originally posted by mankie:

Originally posted by markie:
should ask a guy who dates a chick in Exit Clov, ask relaxer…..

Yeah…coz Exit Clove hit the bigtime!

Secondly, no band breaks in 6 months. Based on what I've seen around DC, the key to promoting your band is to play everywhere and anywhere. Sure you gotta flyer, but you gotta be good, and you gotta get people to listen to you. Playing New York helps i suppose, but only if you can get someone to actually come listen you. Its all about luck, and catching a break anyway. But it helps to be good and to be prolific in playing gigs.

Originally posted by redsock:

Originally posted by mankie:

Originally posted by markie:
should ask a guy who dates a chick in Exit Clov, ask relaxer…..

Yeah…coz Exit Clove hit the bigtime!

Secondly, no band breaks in 6 months. Based on what I've seen around DC, the key to promoting your band is to play everywhere and anywhere. Sure you gotta flyer, but you gotta be good, and you gotta get people to listen to you. Playing New York helps i suppose, but only if you can get someone to actually come listen you. Its all about luck, and catching a break anyway. But it helps to be good and to be prolific in playing gigs.

A catchy band name goes a long way too!

Originally posted by mankie:

Originally posted by redsock:

Originally posted by mankie:

Originally posted by markie:
should ask a guy who dates a chick in Exit Clov, ask relaxer…..

Yeah…coz Exit Clove hit the bigtime!

Secondly, no band breaks in 6 months. Based on what I've seen around DC, the key to promoting your band is to play everywhere and anywhere. Sure you gotta flyer, but you gotta be good, and you gotta get people to listen to you. Playing New York helps i suppose, but only if you can get someone to actually come listen you. Its all about luck, and catching a break anyway. But it helps to be good and to be prolific in playing gigs.

A catchy band name goes a long way too!

Ah, this dance we dance Mankie….and yes i saw your post in the other thread.

Besides CityPaper, are there other periodicals DC music fans read – or good listserves?

Originally posted by Bagster:
Besides CityPaper, are there other periodicals DC music fans read – or good listserves?

I've always maintained that a band's fortunes in DC are dictated by how well they are received on the 9:30 Forum.

I would hire a street team of about 20-25 teenagers who write in hip short lingo and will say anything about a band for free stuff.

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:

Originally posted by Bagster:
Besides CityPaper, are there other periodicals DC music fans read – or good listserves?

I've always maintained that a band's fortunes in DC are dictated by how well they are received on the 9:30 Forum.

Ah, the power we behold.

:roll:

Originally posted by Bagster:
Besides CityPaper, are there other periodicals DC music fans read – or good listserves?

There's a new free entertainment newspaper coming out, today I think, called Frequency. Don't know anything else about it but it's worth a shot. Being new, maybe they can get some intro rates.

Oh, and then there's another freebie called Maryland Musician.
MARYLAND MUSICIAN MAGAZINE INC , 14 W SEMINARY AVE LUTHERVILLE TIMONIUM MD 21093-5521 , 410-494-0566

You might find one or two other publications on this listing that might be helpful.

May I reiterate, Jag, you completely kick ass!

Thanks. It's funny, I don't even know what this band is like!

- Bags

;)